Kenmore committee backs code edits to allow step housing, seeks stronger outreach and enforceable agreements

Kenmore planning staff presented draft code changes and definitions for "step housing" and related types and told the advisory committee on Oct. 1 that they will bring the committee's recommendations to City Council on Nov. 17.

The committee's discussion focused less on whether to allow step housing'which staff said state law requires in certain zones'and more on how projects will be permitted, noticed and enforced. Committee members described public distrust following the Plymouth project and urged measures to increase transparency and accountability for proposed developments.

"There was a bit of a cynical edge to it," a committee member said of the open house feedback, describing how some residents felt outreach had previously failed. "People still walk away feeling like, okay. I've checked the box and I've gone because the city has checked the box and they've done this little thing, and now they're just gonna do what they're gonna do." (committee member, 11:56)

Staff reviewed proposed definitions that will appear in the code: emergency shelter, emergency housing, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing (PSH) and the umbrella term step housing. The committee debated whether the PSH definition's language about residents' rental or criminal histories was too broad and concluded that operational eligibility criteria are better addressed in operator agreements than in the municipal definition.

"It doesn't hurt…